Maggie Chase despises Christmas as much as Scrooge, but when her publisher practically forces her to accept a mysterious, all-expenses-paid invitation to spend Christmas in England, she thinks maybe this holiday won’t be so bad after all. That is, until she sees her traveling companion... Ethan Wyatt. They are rival authors, and Maggie can't believe she'll be stuck on this trip with him of all people.

Upon arriving in England, they discover they’ll be staying at the home of prolific writer Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death. Maggie is over the moon—Eleanor is her favorite author! However, when their host goes missing two days before Christmas and other dangerous events begin to unfold, the rivals must rely on each other to uncover the truth before they become the next victims.

As they delve into their investigation, Maggie and Ethan realize they might not hate each other as much as they thought. What’s scarier, a murderer or unexpected big feelings? Probably the big feelings.

This book was an absolute joy to read. The banter between Ethan and Maggie had me giggling throughout. The mystery was fast-paced and full of twists, keeping me guessing the whole way through.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you're in a reading slump. These characters will pull you right out of it!

Ally Carter has written yet another impossible to put down book. THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIME OF THE YEAR follows Maggie, and her rival, the all too perfect Ethan as they go to England for Christmas under the mysterious request of the world's greatest crime novelist, who just happens to be Maggie's hero. But when her hero vanishes out of a locked room, Maggie and Ethan feel they may have stumbled into a real mystery novel. Can they crack the case before they get killed?

The writing is brilliant, the pacing is riveting, and the story itself will have you squealing, crying, and feeling all the feels. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars, because it's earned every star.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year!
I don’t read a lot of mystery, but every time I do, I want to read more. This novel was lots of fun. It took a long time to put every piece of this book together, so expect to be confused in the beginning. Although it was a bit chaotic, I enjoyed my time reading this. If you’re looking for a mystery and romance all in one, this is definitely the book for you!

As a big fan of anything Christmas themed, I needed this mystery, rivals to lovers rom-com in my life. The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year was so hard to put down and left me in such a good mood. I loved this one so much that it's really hard to put down in words what I loved in a review. So I'm going to try something a little different for this one. I want to talk about the top 5 things I loved about this book!

1. The Setting
A mansion that could house tons of people, in the middle of nowhere, during a snowstorm? Yes, please! It really added to the atmosphere in the story and had me even more invested in this story. It's also Christmas time and the library with the fireplace and such sounded so cozy. I could see myself curling up by the fire reading the day away.

2. Bookish Characters
If a book has characters who love or write books, I'm always sold. Maggie and Ethan are both authors and we learn about what got them writing and that was really special. I also loved Maggie's love for Eleanor's books. As a lover of books I could really relate. Also, the fact that they talked about Eleanor's books and used it to figure things out made my bookish heart very happy.

3. The Banter/Romance
Ally Carter knows how to write characters with chemistry! The way Ethan was with Maggie at the beginning had me laughing out loud. Even Maggie who didn't want anything to do with Ethan at first, couldn't always resist his charms. I also really appreciated that this romance was a bit of a slow burn. I'm not someone who enjoys instalove and their connection was really special. There were a few really special moments and how Ethan remembered them meeting was a swoonworthy moment.

4. The Mystery
Eleanor going missing wasn't something anyone was expecting, but Maggie really thought it was a game. I loved her trying to figure out where she went. Even more so when people started coming after her. I really didn't know who to think of as a suspect and the author kept me on my feet. Every time I thought I had something figured out, she threw something into the story that had me thinking again.

5. The Reveal
Of course, I'm not giving you any clues on how it all plays out, but I love a good reveal when reading a mystery book. Ethan and Maggie set it up perfectly and I couldn't imagine a different ending. The epilogue was the cherry on top I didn't know I needed!

As you can see, I really loved this book! The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is perfect for this holiday season and I see myself doing a reread before the holidays. This was also my first book by Ally Carter, but it definitely won't be my last.

My review will be posted on Goodreads and https://thebookdutchesses.com on August 24th. A month before release day!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an Ebook ARC of this story, this is my honest review. Oh my gosh, did I really enjoy this book! I don't know if my review is going to do it justice but I'll try. Maggie and Ethan are both authors at the same publishing house. Both are spending Christmas in England, invited there by a legendary female crime author who's especially admired by Maggie. Maggie is still reeling from a divorce and betrayal by her husband and former best friend. Ethan is a bit of a mystery but Maggie has considered him to be an enemy. But what does Ethan think, and what will he do to try to change Maggie's mind? They encounter a mystery and danger once in England, which of course draws them closer together. There are some tropes in use here (grumpy-sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, just one bed, etc.) but they're done well and, in some cases, a bit tongue-in-cheek. I enjoyed the dialogue between the two main characters (gave me Jennifer Crusie vibes), and their personalities were written well and they had a good dynamic. There are dual 3rd person POVs, which I like in a romance. This was definitely a caper in all the best ways, with a satisfying resolution. This is honestly the kind of book you wish were longer because you're enjoying it so much. I stayed up way too late reading it and I have zero regrets. This is a new-to-me author but I'll definitely be reading more from her in the future! 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars.

I really really enjoyed this holiday mystery!!
I haven’t read a book quite like this before, but I don’t think it will be my last!

Watching the two mains fall in love all while trying to solve the mystery of Eleanor was so unique!!

I love a good forced proximity holiday romance and it hit all the marks! Ally carter is such a fun writer and i'm looking forward to more of her books

A cute romcom mystery that takes place over the Christmas season; it was a nice escape from the current summer heat. I really enjoyed this light yet still twisty mystery. The romance was well balanced and it provided some humorous and sweet moments. I enjoyed the sleuthing; I felt like the pacing was good and the clue revealing was well spaced out.

There was not a single thing I didn’t absolutely love about this book! It’s mystery, it’s a little thrilling, and it’s romance. It’s fun and entertaining and showcases perfectly some romance tropes that I adore. The banter between Maggie and Ethan is so very good and Eleanor Ashley is a delight. Perfect for Rachel Hawkins readers and those that like romance and cozy mystery in great balance with one another.

I can’t and won’t stop gushing about this book. 6/5 stars from me! No notes! Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title.

I was a huge fan of The Blonde Identity and was both nervous and very excited to read The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year. BUT...it turns out I had nothing to worry about because Ally Carter delivered ANOTHER fantastic book. She really knows how to hook her readers and keep them invested with every turn of the page. My heart soared and sunk, pulse quickened with the suspense of the crimes and romance, and it was overall such a wonderful read. My only complaint is that I have no more Ally Carter books to read right now!!
Thank you for this ARC and if you EVER need a genuine Ally Carter hype person-- I am your gal.

🅐 🅡 🅒 • 🅡 🅔 🅥 🅘 🅔 🅦

#tropes

🎄 Enemies To Lovers
🔪 Competing Mystery Author
🎄 Locked Room Mystery
🔪 Forced Proximity
🎄 Witty Banter
🔪 He Falls First And Super Hard
🎄 Holiday Theme
🔪 Cozy Rom Com
🎄 Knives Out Vibes
🔪 Closed Door
🎄 Dual POV
🔪 Only One Bed

Literally OBSESSED. I loved every single page of this book. This book was a VIBE. Knives out vibes that I was here for. We have two writers who are rivals in what they do and when they are both invited to a legend authors home, the author goes missing. These two rivals are so fun to watch as they have to work together to solve what happened to her.

The banter and back and forth in this was perfect, the page turning twists and turns and guessing what was going to happen next kept you on your toes as well. If this isn’t on your TBR already it needs to be. You will not regret it. This book was fun, witty and a top 10 read for me. . . Easily all my stars.

Thank you @netgalley , @avonbooks and author for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

The cements Ally Carter's adult romances as a must-read for me. I like her somewhat silly sensibility and her characters are all pretty relatable. I really liked everyone involved, and while I totally solved the mystery, it was a fun whodunit. As an added bonus, you get not-too-far in, and you realize that the inspo for this book was Agatha Christie's disappearance which is one of those pieces of literary trivia that I love. My only complaint is that the male character calls the romantic lead "sweetheart", which gives me the EXTREME ICK (so infantilizing). Otherwise, if you want to read a Christmas themed Knives Out style book with compelling characters and a believable romance, look no further. I'd widely recommend this to cozy mystery/light romance readers. 4 stars - I really liked it!

Rival writers Maggie and Ethan are invited to legendary author Eleanor Ashley’s home for Christmas. Set in a recluse mansion in England, they unsure why they are there. That is until Eleanor suddenly vanishes shortly after their arrival, and the two realize they have a locked-in case to solve.

This was a unique and fun holiday read with equal parts mystery and romance. Everything came together perfectly and at only ~300 pages the pacing was great.

Read if you like:
-Holiday reads
-Rom-com mystery
-Rivals to lovers
-He falls first
-Books about authors
-Locked in stories
-Agatha Christie
-England setting

Thank you Avon for the early copy!

Thanks to Avon for the ARC!

In an absolutely perfect mashup of romance and mystery, Ally Carter nailed the holiday book genre with THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIME OF THE YEAR.

Mystery authors Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt find themselves at the estate of Eleanor Ashley, acclaimed author, with her family. When Eleanor goes missing a few days before Christmas, a real-life mystery ensues.

This is one of the most enjoyable holiday books I’ve ever read. It was a great locked room mystery with action and so much banter and cute romance. Everything came together perfectly and I just had such a fun time with it. Five easy stars!

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love Ally Carter and I love Knives Out, so what more could I want? This was such a fun book, especially interesting because it was a spookyish holiday mystery for Christmas and not Halloween. Pick up a copy and curl up for a good time!

This was just the perfect mystery romance ever! A wonderful mystery at a distant estate featuring two writers who find themselves at a reclusive authors estate in time for Christmas and her disappearance. The chemistry between Maggie and Ethan grows throughout the book as tension surrounding Eleanor's simmers among the family.
Overall, a great locked room, romantic mystery giving the best Christmas and Agatha Christie vibes. Ally Carter's latest foray into adult fiction is quite the success.

What a fun read! We have a mystery-frenemy rom-com with a little bit of everything - suspense, banter and even a bit of introspection.

Mystery writers and long time rivals Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt receive a mysterious invitation to attend a Christmas celebration at a British estate. It turns out the hostess is someone they both admire and whose books they have emotional ties to, The Duchess of Death Eleanor Ashley.

Maggie and Ethan have been thrown together over the years at various author events and while Ethan is secretly smitten, Maggie loathes him and assumes he is a macho thriller stereotype.

Of course, the country house weekend gets snowed in, communications get cut off, there is a near murder and a disappearance and a cast of characters with motives and grievances. Recommended. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Fun holiday romp but also maybe confirms that I’m not sure Ally Carter’s writing style is for me. Would definitely still recommend to patrons who are fans of Carter’s previous works or a modern Agatha Christie/Knives Out with romantic themes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the DRC!

This book is pure Christmas magic. I think this book actually had all the things and tropes I love with almost all the genres I love as well so basically Ally Carter is a writing wizard who can read her audience's mind to write the perfect book. Let me go on waxing poetic so she continues to write and bless us with her stories.
I really enjoyed how Maggie and Ethan's backstories were revealed. It was fun to not only be getting clues for the overall mystery, but then given these glimpses of Maggie's past, of Ethan's past, and how all those things fit together in the end. I enjoyed trying to guess whodunnit (not gonna lie - I did have my suspicions, but the why of it was definitely surprising) and now I'm wishing I could jet off to an English manor at Christmas for sitting by a fire with some tea and scones, wrapped in a cozy blanket, while reading a cozy mystery (well, rereading this actually).
Overall, both die hard Gallagher Girls and new-to-Ally Carter readers are going to love this high stakes, yet still somehow cozy mystery!

P.S. The elevator scene? Someone send me a mop because I am a puddle.

5 Stars.

🎄 The vibes:
- she hates him
- mysterious MMC
- Humor
- Romance
- Christmas murder mystery
- Dual timeline
- closed door

🎄 My thoughts:
Well this was an absolute joy. This book is advertised as Knives Out meets holiday romcom and I think it completely delivered on those claims.

🎄 Two authors are invited to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan who turns out to be the most powerful author in the world- Eleanor Ashley. We have Maggie Chase- the queen of Cozy Mystery and Ethan Wyatt- Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy. She hates his guts. When Eleanor goes missing during the party- all will wonder if this was planned or if a horrible crime has occurred.

🎄 With short chapters, a dual timeline, and a thrilling romance, this book was a page-turner. This was a delicious slow burn (my favorite); the romance wasn’t the entire plot- but it was so in depth that I found myself so into it.

🎄 The backstories of both Maggie and Ethan felt unique and gave me the final cherry on top of this read. It’s not super christmassy- and for me it leaned more towards winter- but I didn’t mind and if anything, I think it proves to be an enjoyable read for any time of year if Christmas isn’t your level ten jam all year (like it is for me).

🎄 Are there some questions I have after- yes. But for a romance murder mystery- I think this was flawless. So I’m giving it 5 stars for the absolute joy I felt while reading it. The tattoo. The ending. Everything in between. I really think the author delivered on her claims with this one, and it’ll definitely be one I reread.

🖤 Similar to Inheritance Games and The Christmas Murder Game (riddles/games/clues); Knives Out (plot type); and The Mysterious Affair at Styles (cozy mystery).

Note- closed door
Release date: September 24, 2024.

Thank you so much to Ally Carter, Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon and NetGalley for the gifted copy.

ADDITIONAL NOTE FOR NETGALLEY SUBMISSION - EDIT ACCORDING TO WHAT I REVIEWED ON

*note- posted on bookbub, Instagram (on feed and a reel), goodreads, Storygraph, and barnes and noble. Links provided. Will be posted on Amazon after release date when Amazon allows me to.